If all goes well, Ike Reilly won’t be lumped
in with the crop of garage rock revivalists. Don’t let the lo-fi
production and guitar riffs fool you. Reilly is a singer/songwriter
with possibilities and a range much broader than most artists who are labeled
as singer/songwriters.

That label also assumes two things; that
the artist has an interesting voice and the ability to write interesting
songs. Reilly has both abilities, as his songs are different and
varied, his voice echoes a little of Bob Dylan, but Reilly bends and stretches
with more frequency than Dylan.

To finally get to the point, Sparkle
in the Finish is a diverse and exciting album. Each song stands
out on its own but they all meld together to form a cohesive whole.
Reilly’s writing is quirky at times but his lyrics are original and the
songs are appealing. His songs are full of the characters that can
be found in songs by Tom Waits, but Reilly’s work is more accessible and
smoothed over by the melody’s and guitar riffs.

Sparkle in the Finish sounds like
an electric folk album. Like folk albums, Reilly’s strength is in
the lyrics. They are smart, literate, funny and his use of language
and ideas is fascinating and thought-provoking.

“I Don’t Want What You Got (Goin’ On)”
is the first track and sounds a little like Sublime’s, “What I’ve Got”.
And that is the only example of Reilly’s music sounding like anybody else.

“It’s Allright to Die” starts as a swinging
rock song which is then interrupted by an unexpected acoustic section.
Unexpected, but it fits perfectly. “The Boat Song (We’re Getting
Loaded)” is propelled by keyboards and samples that spotlight one of Reilly’s
smoother vocal performances.

“Garbage Day” is just a simple catchy rock
song. “Ballad of the Choir Boy Bank Robbery” is a slow swaggering
song, with Reilly proclaiming, “I’m only in it for the money.” Those
are only a few of the songs, but everyone is a standout track.

Ike Reilly has all of the tools to create
exciting music. His music is smart, interesting, different, has swagger,
has feelings; some of the best traits that music has to offer. Sparkle
in the Finish would be a 5 star album but Ike Reilly will only get
better. We have that 5 star album to look forward to.

CD Info

The Ike
Reilly Assassination – Sparkle in the FinishLabel: SixthmanRating:

Tracks:I Don't Want What You Got (Goin On)Holiday in New YorkIt's All Right To DieWhatever Happened To The Girl In Me?Boat Song, The (We're Getting Loaded)Garbage DayOur Lady of ArturoBallad of the Choir Boy Bank RobberWaitin' For DaddySt. Joe's BandEx-Americans